Outreach & Events

At Black Voices of UC San Diego, outreach and events are more than promotional tools—they are powerful platforms for education, community-building, and lasting institutional impact. As a student-led initiative born out of a need for representation and dialogue, our Outreach & Events arm serves to bring awareness to issues affecting the Black community while creating opportunities for meaningful engagement and growth.

Our Purpose

The mission of our outreach and event operations is to:

  • Create meaningful exposure for our research, publications, and programming

  • Expand awareness of the Black Voices website and the lived realities it represents

  • Cultivate interest and grow our team of passionate student coordinators

  • Generate dialogue around social justice and community issues on campus

  • Address gaps in campus life by curating culturally relevant and empowering events for Black students

  • Foster pathways for academic, professional, and personal growth

We recognize that community engagement is not just about attendance—it’s about building intentional relationships that empower students and amplify historically marginalized voices.

Outreach in Action

Our outreach efforts are grounded in consistency, creativity, and a commitment to accessibility. Here's how we reach and resonate with our campus community:

  • Each quarter, we host on-campus tabling events to promote coordinator applications, highlight upcoming forums and social events, and share updates on our latest website publications. These face-to-face conversations offer a direct channel for students to learn more, ask questions, and get involved.

  • Our monthly flyering campaigns are a cornerstone of our grassroots outreach. We distribute visually engaging, informative flyers across residence halls, academic buildings, and cultural centers to advertise open applications, upcoming panels, and ways to support our mission.

  • We deliver strategic announcements in diversity-focused courses such as Ethnic Studies, African American Studies, and Political Science. These short presentations introduce students to Black Voices, our mission, and immediate opportunities to engage.

  • We maintain a curated list of faculty and courses aligned with our mission. Through personalized email campaigns, we share calls for involvement, event invitations, and collaborative opportunities with professors and their students.

  • Our digital campaigns play a critical role in connecting with a broader audience. From spotlighting new team members to launching application drives and event teasers, our Instagram (@bvofucsd) serves as a dynamic storytelling tool that reflects our mission, values, and evolving content.

Each campaign is tracked through organized spreadsheets and collaborative tools to measure reach, consistency, and engagement, ensuring every effort is purposeful and refined.

What We Say:

We invite students with interests in writing, media, advocacy, leadership, or design to join us. We emphasize leadership development, project-based learning, and inclusive discussion to empower our coordinators, the next generation of campus leaders.

Whether we're speaking to a student at a table or presenting in a lecture hall, our message remains strong and consistent:

Coordinator Recruitment

Each quarter, we open applications for coordinator positions that support research, graphic design, digital strategy, event planning, and more. Applicants go through a thoughtful interview process using a structured template to ensure we understand their goals, values, and strengths. Once selected, coordinators are onboarded with access to our strategic guides, internal documents, and mentorship opportunities. They play an active role in building the content, outreach, and infrastructure that keeps BVofUCSD thriving.


Are you interested in social justice, community building, and outreach? Do you want to be part of the broader conversation on issues that directly affect campus and the greater San Diego community? Join Black Voices of UCSD.

Founded in 2020, Black Voices began as a space for allies but evolved into a student-led initiative focused on educating, uplifting, and empowering Black students. We are a hub for critical research, discussion, and action on both historical and contemporary issues affecting the Black community.

Event Planning
& Execution

General Workflow

All events follow a structured process to ensure alignment with our mission and goals:

  1. Ideation & Purpose Setting:

    • What is the objective of this event? How does it support Black Voices’ mission and the community?

  2. Timeline & Task Allocation

  3. Role Designation

    • Appoint an Event Lead to guide planning and coordination

    • Assign Event Coordinators to assist with brainstorming
      and implementation

  4. Marketing & Outreach

    • Launch a custom campaign with graphics, flyers, and cross-promotion

    • Collaborate with campus centers, orgs, and relevant communities

  5. Logistics & Administration

  6. Day-of Execution Roles

  7. Post-Event Reflection

    • Track outcomes, gather feedback, and document for future reference

FEATURED EVENTS

FEATURED EVENTS

Black Law Panel:
“Connect & Reflect”

Join us for an evening of conversation, community, and career insights at Connect & Reflect: A Black Law Panel. This Black History Month event brings together a dynamic group of Black legal professionals from across San Diego to share their personal journeys into law, offer advice for aspiring law students, and speak candidly about navigating the field as Black professionals.

Panelists:

  • Criminal Defense Attorney & Public Defender

  • Assistant Dean & Law School Professor (California Western School of Law)

  • Associate at Latham & Watkins LLP

  • Law Admissions & Legal Education Leader

What to Expect:

  • Inspiration – Hear powerful reflections on overcoming barriers and finding purpose in the legal profession

  • Insight – Learn how to navigate the law school application process and legal career paths

  • Networking – Connect directly with panelists and fellow students over food and conversation


Dissecting Intersection: A Gender Buffet Discussion on Misogynoir

Black Voices x BSU Present: Drumline

Join us for “Dissecting Intersection: Misogynoir”, a Black History Month program exploring the intersection of racism and sexism through the lens of Misogynoir, a term coined by Dr. Moya Bailey and influenced by intersectionality scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw. This conversation-based program centers the lived experiences of Black women and trans-identifying individuals, unpacking how structural oppression manifests across media, labor, activism, and identity.

Participants will explore:

  • Definitions and origins of Misogynoir

  • A brief TED Talk clip by Kimberlé Crenshaw

  • Case studies in media: Megan Thee Stallion vs. Zendaya

  • Colorism, hyperfemininity, and the "Strong Black Woman" trope

  • Trans misogynoir and layered identity-based oppression

  • Working Black women’s labor inequities

We encourage thoughtful reflection from attendees of all identities while holding space for Black students to speak to lived experiences. Brunch will be served, and attendees are invited to participate in facilitated dialogue designed to honor and uplift the theme of Black Resistance.


Get ready to march to the beat of your own drum as Black Voices of UCSD and the Black Student Union invite you to a special Black History Month screening of the iconic film Drumline!

This event isn’t just about watching a movie—it’s about celebrating Black culture, joy, and artistry. Drumline explores themes of perseverance, passion, and the power of community through the lens of historically Black college and university (HBCU) marching band culture. From dynamic percussion battles to heartfelt character arcs, the film reminds us of the rhythmic force of Black expression.

Enjoy:

  • Free refreshments including Kool-Aid Jammers, chips, and drinks

  • A welcoming, collaborative space to connect with your community

  • An iconic film that honors the legacy of Black collegiate pride

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